'Sad Day In American Politics': MA Pols React To Trump Conviction

SALEM, MA — Members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation were quick to support the legal process that led the conviction of former President Donald Trump on 34 felony counts of fraud in a New York courtroom on Thursday as Trump vehemently maintained his innocence.

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Salem) called the convictions "a sad day for American politics" while adding in a statement "it was only a matter of time before his actions led him to face our justice system."

A New York jury deliberated for two days this week before delivering guilty verdicts on all 34 counts in the hush money trial.

Sentencing is set for July 11.

(Also on Patch: Trump Found Guilty By Jury On All 34 Counts In Hush Money Trial)

"In America, no person is above the law — regardless of wealth, fame, or position. That value underpins our democracy," U.S. Rep. and Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Melrose) said in her statement. "Today, the rule of law was upheld. A jury of Donald Trump's peers evaluated the facts and judged him guilty of 34 felonies.

"Trump made deception a cornerstone of his campaign for the White House. And now, he will go down in history as the president who has two impeachments and 34 felony convictions to his name — with more trials to come. The American people deserve so much better."

Trump lashed out after the verdict at what he called "a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt" and said "the real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people here, and they know what happened here and everybody knows what happened here."

Trump went on to blame the Biden Administration for being behind the charges he said were orchestrated to "hurt a political opponent."

Moulton also noted the upcoming presidential election — with Biden and Trump as their respective party's likely nominees — in his statement on the verdict.

"This is also no time to gloat," he said. "We're in uncharted waters now that a convicted criminal is still a frontrunner for the presidency."

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Boston) said the unanimous verdict "is an important step toward accountability. ... Accountability is welcome and long overdue."

U.S. Rep. James McGovern (D-Worcester) and U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Lowell) also noted the guilty verdicts on their respective social media feeds.